By Gabriel Enogholase

BENIN—MEMBERS of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Edo State branch, yesterday, defied a directive by the state Judicial Service Commission to return to work or risk instant dismissal from service.

It will be recalled that the workers have been on strike since January 5, over  the non- implementation of the financial autonomy granted to the judiciary by a Federal High Court in Abuja on January 13.

In a move to reopen the courts in the state which have been shut since then, the state Judicial Service Commission in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Isaac Sanu, last week instructed the workers to return to their duty posts on May 18, failing which they would be dismissed from the state civil service.

But the workers described the directive as illegal and vowed not to the call off the strike or return to work until their grievances were addressed.

Vanguard gathered that the main gate to the high court was forced open at  9a.m., under the supervision of the Chief Registrar of the court, after some of the striking employees tried to prevent  entry into the court, a move the vice chairman of the union, John Egbomeade, described as mere intimidation which the workers would not succumb.

Oshiomhole

Egbomeade said: “The Chief Registrar of the High Court, Mr H. E. Enemaku, came to break the lock and forced the gate open, claiming that the workers were willing to return to work. But you can see that even some hours after the gate was forced open, no staff is prepared to work.

“So, that is to tell you that they are trying to intimidate the workers to come to work. But the workers are saying there is no going back. So, irrespective of the threat, the strike continues. The workers are resolute, undaunted, no going back until our demands are met.”

He condemned the directive by the commission, describing same as “illegal, null and void,” arguing that a suit had already been filed at the National Industrial Court, with the JSC as a the third respondent.

“It is very surprising and very unfortunate that a commission headed by a Chief Judge, who is a lawyer and a judge can condescend to use its members to break the gate leading into the court. The workers here are in solidarity with us.

“Our stand is that the strike continues until further directives,” Egbomeade added.